Have you ever heard the term STOP-Bang? Many may not be familiar with it, but the STOP-Bang Questionnaire is a helpful tool used to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It is important to know what sleep assessments are being done and how they can be used in improving your quality of sleep. Continue reading to find out more about the STOP-Bang Questionnaire!
What Is OSA?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a very common sleep-related breathing disorder. When someone has OSA, their airway may become partially or completely blocked, which could cause breathing disruptions throughout the night. OSA can be a very serious health condition as it can lead to heart attacks, diabetes, and can negatively affect your quality of sleep. Diagnosis and treatment of OSA are very important in reducing symptoms and reducing the risk of developing other related health conditions.
What Is a STOP-Bang Questionnaire?
A STOP-Bang Questionnaire is a simple eight-question assessment that was developed by researchers to identify individuals that may have obstructive sleep apnea. The questionnaire is focused on the major risk factors of OSA and can help determine if a person could benefit from a sleep test. You can easily take this questionnaire yourself to see if you are at risk for developing OSA or at your physician's office. STOP-Bang is an acronym, with the first letter of each word being related to a risk factor of OSA.
- Snoring – Do you snore? Does it disturb your partner?
- Tired – During the daytime, do you feel tired and fatigued often?
- Observed – Has anyone else observed you stop breathing or gasping for air while asleep?
- Pressure – Do you have or are you being treated for high blood pressure?
- BMI (Body Mass Index) - Is your BMI higher than 35?
- Age – Are you over the age of 50?
- Neck Circumference – Is your neck size larger than 43 cm (Male) or 41 cm (female)?
- Gender – Are you male? (Males are more likely to have OSA).
What Your Scores Mean
After taking the STOP-Bang Questionnaire, it is important to understand how to interpret the results. Here is what the scores mean:
- Low Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea – Answered Yes to 0-2 Questions
- Intermediate Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea – Answered Yes to 3-4 Questions
- High Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea – Answered Yes to 5-8 Questions
How Does the STOP-Bang Questionnaire Help Us Assess Your Quality of Sleep?
If we suspect that a patient may be at risk of having OSA, utilizing a STOP-Bang questionnaire can be very beneficial. It can allow physicians to know who is most at risk for OSA and which patients will need additional sleep testing to get an official diagnosis. Along with helping diagnose OSA, it can also help us rule out OSA so we can get our patients to the correct diagnosis faster.
Overall, the STOP-Bang Questionnaire is very helpful when trying to improve your quality of sleep. Getting the correct diagnosis will allow you to receive effective treatment and get better sleep which will lead to improved physical and mental health. To learn more about our sleep testing services, visit our website or contact us with any questions!